Former president and ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM)’s leader Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom met with the former Coalition Partner and Opposition member Jumhooree Party (JP)’s President Qasim Ibrahim.

After taking back the support he gave for his half brother and incumbent President Yameen Abdul Gayyoom, this is the first time Gayoom reached out for another party. After the two-hour meeting held at JP’s main activity centre Kunooz, Gayoom and Qasim gave a short statement for the Press.

In his statement, Gayoom said that their meeting was a vital step for collaborative efforts to uphold the democracy of the nation. “Though we haven’t decided on anything, we have discussed to hold talks at various levels to work together. This includes joint efforts within and out of the parliament to withstand our Reform Agenda” said Gayoom.

Gayyoom also stressed on the key Principle of Democracy, the Separation of Powers. Maumoon said “though the image has been changed, the democracy we have allows the authorities of legislative power, Executive and Judiciary to only function within its own boundaries and no power could or should influence to one another.” He added that independent institutions are no longer prevailing with sovereignty and are forced to practise the government propaganda.

Qasim Ibrahim, the President of JP and the Parliament member of Maamigilee Constituency, said Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom is the President of the PPM, and its charter does not allow him to be removed from power. Assuring that he will not upkeep anything which goes against legal framework, Qasim said the government should respect and practice the rules and regulations of all political parties. Moreover, Qasim reassured that they are standing with Gayoom in his decision to withdraw backing for the government.